Y-You... you... you... bad thing!

Wang Mengde left the Island Patrol Office.

First, I went to Dawn Glow Talisman Shop and bought twenty pairs of First-Rank Voice Transmission Talisman, and then ordered twenty pairs of Second-Rank Voice Transmission Talisman.

Wang Mengde then went to Ruyan Spirit Rice Shop.

Wang Mengde stepped across the threshold and greeted her with a smile, "Sister Ru Yan, busy?"

Behind the counter, a plump woman was fiddling with an abacus.

She looked to be in her thirties, with a face as round as a silver platter and smiling eyes; she was Ru Yan, the female manager of this Spirit Rice.

Ru Yan raised her head and sensed the fluctuations of spiritual energy emanating from Wang Mengde. She was stunned for a moment.

Eight years ago, the other party First Layer of Qi Refinement of Qi Refining, while she Second Layer of Qi Refinement.

Only one pound of low-grade Spirit Rice was sold.

Over the next eight years, the other party's cultivation level improved rapidly, soaring to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement.

His Law Technique was extremely powerful, and he quickly gained fame on Rosy Cloud Island.

He even became the captain of the Island Patrol Office.

Unexpectedly, after not seeing him for a while, he has already broken through the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining and advanced to the Seventh-Level Qi Refinement.

This cultivation speed is simply terrifying.

Seventh-Level Qi Refinement Island Patrol Guards —that's quite a big shot on Rosy Cloud Island.

Ru Yan's smile froze on her face for a brief moment, then blossomed into one that was even brighter than usual.

She emerged from behind the counter, her voice brimming with undisguised enthusiasm. "Captain Wang has broken through to the Seventh-Level Qi Refinement?"

Wow, congratulations Captain Wang on breaking through to the Seventh-Level Qi Refinement!

Her gaze swept over Wang Mengde from head to toe, her eyes brimming with surprise and envy.

Wang Mengde smiled slightly, ignoring the previous question, and directly said, "Give me one hundred catties of Greenbud Spirit Rice."

Greenbud Spirit Rice is a top-grade Spirit Rice, rich in Spiritual Qi and with a soft and glutinous texture, making it an excellent choice for Qi Refining cultivators to nourish their bodies.

He cultivates the Thunder Tempering Body Formula daily, requiring a large amount of high-grade Spirit Rice to replenish his Qi and Blood.

Upon hearing this, Ru Yan's smile widened even more.

She walked to the largest wooden barrel herself, picked up a brand-new wooden spoon, and began to scoop the Spirit Rice into the bag, spoonful by spoonful.

As she pretended, she said with a smile, "Captain Wang, this Greenbud Spirit Rice sells for 320 Spirit Sand a pound on the market, but since you're an old acquaintance, I'll just give you 300 Spirit Sand."

One hundred catties is equivalent to 30,000 Spirit Sand, which is equivalent to 300 Spirit Stone.

After the 10% discount, it's 270 Spirit Stone.

Wang Mengde nodded. "Okay."

Ru Yan quickly sealed the two bags of Spirit Rice and handed them to Wang Mengde with both hands.

With a wave of his hand, Wang Mengde put the two bags of Spirit Rice into his Storage Bag, then counted out two hundred and seventy Spirit Stone from the Storage Bag and placed them on the counter.

Ru Yan quickly put the Spirit Stone away, her smile as bright as a flower.

She escorted Wang Mengde all the way to the shop entrance.

"Captain Wang, take care. If you need any Spirit Rice next time, just send someone to tell me, and I'll deliver it to your residence."

Wang Mengde walked out of the Spirit Rice and slowly walked back along the bluestone path.

A sea breeze blew by, carrying a hint of coolness.

Only after leaving that alley did Wang Mengde gently shake his head.

When you become powerful, the number of good people around you suddenly increases.

He suddenly remembered the scene when he first came to this store eight years ago.

When the other party heard that he wanted to buy one pound of Spirit Rice, their attitude was indifferent, and they said they would not bargain.

As his strength increased, the other party's attitude became better and better.

Nowadays, they are very enthusiastic, personally packing the Spirit Rice for her, offering discounts and even giving it away from the rice shop.

A feeling that was hard to describe welled up in Wang Mengde's heart.

No wonder all cultivators dream of becoming stronger.

He quickened his pace, passed through several alleys, and arrived at a cluster of pavilions in the center of Rosy Cloud Island.

Wang Mengde walked past his own Loft No. 37 and stopped in front of Loft No. 31.

This is the attic where Liu Yiyi lives.

Wang Mengde reached out and gently tapped the Light Barrier.

Soon, the attic door opened.

Liu Yiyi stood behind the door. She had changed into a dry, light blue dress, but her hair was still wet, indicating that she had just taken a shower.

Her face was no longer as pale as it had been at sea, and it had regained its usual fair and rosy color, but a trace of fatigue still lingered in her eyes.

The moment she saw Wang Mengde, a glimmer of light involuntarily appeared in her eyes, as if someone had lit a small lamp in her eyes.

But the light only flashed for a moment before she suppressed it.

She remembered that she hadn't divorced Tie Li yet, and that this was Rosy Cloud Island, surrounded by many Island Patrol Guards. What if someone saw her meeting with Wang Mengde? A hint of nervousness appeared on her face.

But she still reached out and opened a gap in the protective Light Barrier, whispering, "Come in."

Wang Mengde entered the courtyard.

Liu Yiyi deactivated the protective Light Barrier, turned around, looked at him, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Wang Mengde looked at her, his gaze serious and solemn. "Yiyi, don't be alone with that bastard Tie Li. I'm afraid he might harm you."

Wang Mengde didn't trust that scoundrel Tie Li.

He didn't know where that bastard had flown off from Rosy Cloud Island, but he had a feeling that the other party had ill intentions.

Liu Yiyi was slightly taken aback, then rolled her eyes at him. "What are you thinking about?"

We usually cultivate ourselves in our own quiet rooms and rarely spend time alone together.

He has his things to do, and I have mine; we barely see each other a few times a day.

Wang Mengde shook his head. "One should always be wary of others."

Tie Li will definitely hate you for what happened today.

Be careful, don't give him any opportunity.

Seeing the undisguised concern in his eyes, Liu Yiyi felt a warmth in her heart and nodded, "I understand."

Wang Mengde continued to transmit his voice, "Don't eat the food or drink the water that Tie Li you, as Tie Li might drug you."

This time his tone was stronger than before, carrying an undeniable seriousness.

Liu Yiyi paused slightly, meeting Wang Mengde's bright, earnest eyes. She recalled Tie Li's gloomy gaze at sea earlier that day, and the almost deliberate gentleness in his voice when he transmitted his message.

Liu Yiyi nodded and replied, "I understand."

Wang Mengde took out the stack of First-Rank Voice Transmission Talisman from his Storage Bag and handed them to Liu Yiyi: "Take this. Tie Li anything to harm you, notify me immediately."

Liu Yiyi raised her head and looked into Wang Mengde's eyes.

Those eyes were bright, like two black pebbles washed by the sea—clean, resolute, and carrying a reassuring warmth.

Without further hesitation, she reached out and took the Talisman, then put it into her Storage Bag.

"I understand," she said again, this time with a softer tone in her voice.

Wang Mengde watched as Liu Yiyi accepted the Talisman, his gaze lingering on Liu Yiyi face for a moment before he suddenly spoke, "Yiyi, do you think that if Tie Li were to harm you, I wouldn't be able to defeat him?"

Liu Yiyi was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously wanted to deny it, but she swallowed the words back.

She did think that way.

Tie Li is at the Peak of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining, only one step away from the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement.

Tie Li also possessed a mid-grade magic Law Artifact, and during his time with the demon-hunting fleet, he slew countless demons.

Wang Mengde, with Five-Element Spirit Root and the Seventh-Level Qi Refinement, had mastered both Water Arrow Technique and Sword-Controlling Technique to an extremely high level, but he was still considerably weaker than Tie Li, who possessed a mid-grade magic Law Artifact.

If they really started fighting, how many rounds could Wang Mengde last?

Liu Yiyi didn't want to think about this question, but she knew the answer in her heart.

"I—" Liu Yiyi opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Wang Mengde saw the hesitation in her eyes and understood.

In his previous life, Wang Mengde read a novel by a mentally challenged author. The protagonist was incredibly powerful, but he never told his father.

The father was surrounded and attacked. Fearing that the protagonist would be killed if he came to help him, the father did not notify the protagonist.

Then the father was beaten to death.

He was so angry that his liver hurt.

He was afraid that Tie Li would harm Liu Yiyi, and he was also afraid that Liu Yiyi would be afraid that he couldn't beat Tie Li and wouldn't send him a message when they were in danger.

Therefore, he needed to let Liu Yiyi know that he, Wang Mengde, was capable of protecting her.

"I am capable of protecting you," Wang Mengde said, extending his fist.

His right hand slowly clenched, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

Spiritual energy began to surge on the surface of his fist.

Liu Yiyi's gaze fell on his fist, wondering what he was going to do.

Then, she felt it.

A terrifying aura quietly emanated from Wang Mengde's fist.

The aura was like the awakening of a slumbering ancient beast, or like the heavy, oppressive clouds hanging overhead before a storm, making it hard to breathe.

Liu Yiyi's beautiful eyes widened slightly.

She sensed that presence.

Destroy.

Pure, irrational destruction.

She didn't know what was in Wang Mengde's fist, but she could sense that his palm contained an extremely terrifying attack method.

"What... what kind of Law Technique is this?" Liu Yiyi's voice trembled slightly.

Wang Mengde quietly dissipated the purple lightning in his fist, looked into Liu Yiyi's eyes, and said in a serious tone, "My father made me swear an oath that the secret of this Law Technique must not be told to any outsider."

I'll tell you when you become my dao companion.

All you need to know now is that I have the ability to protect you.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yiyi nodded obediently.

The mysterious Law Technique in Wang Mengde's palm just now made her realize for the first time that this man was far more powerful than she had imagined.

The power contained in that Law Technique was enough to instantly render Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining cultivator incapable of resistance, and even kill a Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement cultivator.

If Tie Li really intended to harm her, if Tie Li really wanted to take action against Wang Mengde, what would be the outcome?

A feeling she couldn't quite describe welled up inside her—a sense of relief, awe, and a touch of curiosity.

Just how many secrets does this seemingly ordinary Rogue Cultivator with Five-Element Spirit Root still hold?

Liu Yiyi raised her head and stared intently at Wang Mengde, her eyes full of curiosity, as if she wanted to see right through him.

Her lips curled slightly, and her voice carried a hint of coquettishness that she herself was unaware of. "You naughty thing, what other secrets do you have?"

Wang Mengde looked into her eyes, which shone like two stars. They held curiosity, inquiry, and a soft, dependent quality that even she herself hadn't noticed.

He suddenly felt a softening in his heart, as if something had melted away in those eyes.

A slight smile played on his lips, revealing a smile that was both mischievous and gentle, "Become my dao companion, and I'll tell you."

Liu Yiyi's face flushed red.

The blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, and from her ears to her neck, making her look like a boiled shrimp.

She bit her lower lip, wanting to glare at him, but found that she couldn't open her eyes wide; instead, they curved into two crescent moons.

"I don't care about your secrets." Her voice was soft and weak, lacking any intimidation.

Looking at her rosy cheeks, her crescent-shaped eyes, and her slightly upturned lips, Wang Mengde suddenly felt that this woman was really cute.

Even though they had already agreed in their hearts, they still had to pretend to be tough.

Even though her eyes were practically crinkling with laughter, she still insisted on saying, "I don't care."

He took a step forward, and the distance between them suddenly closed, close enough that she could smell the faint scent of soap on him.

"You really don't care?" His voice was very low, with a husky quality.

Wang Mengde looked at Liu Yiyi, his gaze gradually becoming intense.

My gaze slowly moved from her eyebrows and eyes to her lips, then to the tips of her wet hair, and finally back to her eyes.

That gaze was like a warm fire, not scalding, but it made Liu Yiyi's heart flutter with unease.

"What are you looking at?" Liu Yiyi felt a little uncomfortable being stared at, so she turned her face away, her voice carrying a hint of reproach.

Wang Mengde did not look away, but instead took half a step forward.

The distance between them closed again, almost touching.

"Yiyi," Wang Mengde's voice was very low, with a husky quality, "Do you know why I came to see you tonight?"

Liu Yiyi's heart skipped a beat.

She didn't speak, but simply lowered her eyes slightly, her eyelashes fluttering like two small fans.

Wang Mengde's gaze was fixed on her face. "You have no idea, only two and a half hours have passed since we parted ways at the Island Patrol Office, but you're all I can think about. I think about you when I'm shopping, I think about you when I'm walking."

He paused, then lowered his voice even further. "I'm wondering what you're doing right now, whether you're getting enough rest, and—whether you're thinking of me."

Liu Yiyi's cheeks flushed instantly.

The blush spread from her ears all the way down to her neck.

She bit her lower lip, wanting to say something to cover up her panic, but found that her lips were as if they were glued shut, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Wang Mengde didn't give her time to react.

He tilted his head slightly, letting his gaze fall from above, just in time to meet Liu Yiyi's raised eyes.

"Today on the rocks," his voice suddenly became a little hoarse, "The moment you were in my arms, I felt that my life had been worthwhile."

Liu Yiyi's eyelashes trembled violently.

"You smell wonderful." Wang Mengde's gaze lingered on the top of her head, his voice as soft as a feather. "When your hair brushed against my face, it made my whole body go numb."

He raised his hand and gently placed it on Liu Yiyi's face.

Liu Yiyi could feel the warmth of his palm, which made her cheeks burn.

"I just thought, if only time could stop at that moment."

Wang Mengde withdrew his hand, but his gaze remained fixed on her. "Don't think about tomorrow, I'll just hold you like this, don't worry about anything else."

Liu Yiyi's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

She had never heard such a thing before.

When Tie Li was with her, he was always polite and courteous, speaking softly and acting meticulously. He had never looked at her so directly, passionately, or even somewhat brazenly before.

She really liked those sweet words.